Residents, Neighbors, Family, and Friends:

Daylight Savings Time began this past Sunday, March 13th at 2:00a.m. As your City Council's Public Safety Chair of our Public Safety Standing Committee,

I would like to remind all that "it’s a great time to think about

keeping your family safe!"

Annapolis Fire Chief Doug Remaley and Chief Ed Jackson of Annapolis Police advise to use the date as an annual reminder of these home safety tips:

• It’s time to test your smoke alarms and CO (carbon monoxide) detectors, if they are more than 10 years old they should be replaced  with a 10-year, sealed battery model (available at hardware stores);
• Use the date to think about creating or updating your family’s Emergency Plan (visit FEMA.gov for samples);
• Refresh both home and automobile emergency medical kits; and
• Use this annual date as a reminder to properly dispose of unused medication (there’s a disposal bin at the Annapolis Police Department at 199 Taylor Avenue).

-- Rhonda

ANNAPOLIS POLICE DEPARTMENT TELEPHONE REPORTING

ANNAPOLIS, AN AMERICAN STORY

Check out this video on the new "Annapolis: An American Story" at the Museum of Historic Annapolis from WMAR News!

FIREHOUSE SUBS SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITY AVAILABLE

The Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation scholarship is open to individuals planning to enroll in a firefighter, law enforcement or emergency medical (paramedic or emergency medical technician) program. The application deadline to apply is April 7, 2022 or when application limit is reached.

To learn about how to apply, click here. 

FREE TAX PREPARATION

COMMUNITY ACTION AGENCY HAPPENINGS

Applications are being Accepted for Youth Summer Internships

For the fourth summer, the Community Action Agency in partnership with Anne Arundel Workforce Development Corporation is offering summer internship opportunities for Anne Arundel County young adults through the program Future Success. The program offers career exposure, essential workplace skills, financial literacy, and a six-week paid internship to each participant. Internship placements are passed on participants’ career interests and best fit. Applicants must be able to work for the full duration of the program,

which runs from July 5 – August 12, 2022.

For more information about Future Success, please contact Ms. Donathon at kdonathon@aaccaa.org. Interested candidates can apply here. Community Action encourages anyone who is interested in the program to apply early; the program reaches capacity quickly. The application cycle closes March 31, 2022.

We’re Hiring!

Community Action is currently seeking candidates for two of our programs. Early Head Start is seeking candidates to fill teaching positions for the center in South County. The link for the job description and requirements is here. The positions are full-time, including benefits. For more information, please contact Ms. Brooks at kbrooks@aaccaa.org.

The Agency is also seeking candidates for the Health Ambassador’s initiative. These positions are contractual through June 30, 2022, for 20-30 hours per week. Specific information can be found here. For more information, please contact Ms. Snyder at jsnyder@aaccaa.org.

MARYLAND DAY (WEEKEND) IS COMING UP MARCH 25-27

Annapolis Green has been involved with Maryland Day for many years all while encouraging both attendees and venues to celebrate responsibly. They even helped to inspire the green petal in the logo.

Celebrate with Annapolis Green and partners at The Chase-Lloyd House on Maryland Avenue, Saturday, March 26, where in the midst of its beautiful Bay Wise garden, they will offer a composting demonstration by Master Composter Terence L. Wright (Ward 3 resident). Terrence is ready for all of your

composting questions!

THE MARYLAND STATE ARCHIVES IS CURRENTLY ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS TO ITS 2022 SUMMER INTERNSHIP PROGRAM

The deadline for student application is Thursday, March 31st. For full details and application information see:  

http://msa.maryland.gov/msa/educ/html/interns.html

Students interested in Archives, Collections Management, Library Science, Conservation, Historical Research, Preservation, Digital Imaging, Museum Studies, Art and Art History, should apply using the following link:

https://jobapscloud.com/MD/sup/bulpreview.asp?R1=22&R2=005302&R3=0001

Students interested in Information Technology, Computer Science and Programming, Database Administration should apply using the following link:

https://jobapscloud.com/MD/sup/bulpreview.asp?R1=22&R2=005302&R3=0002

Students interested in volunteer, part time and/or academic credit positions only, please see:

https://msa.maryland.gov/msa/educ/interns/html/allinterns.html

USDA-ANIMAL AND PLANT HEALTH INSPECTION SERVICE TO HOST THE AGDISCOVERY PROGRAM AT COPPIN STATE 

The program at Coppin State University will be held June 19- July 1, 2022 and is open to students currently in grades 8-11.  The students must submit a two-page essay outlining their interest in attending AgDiscovery, school or volunteer activities related to agriculture, plant, animal, or biological science as well as their future career goals and three letters of recommendation.  There is no cost to participate in the program.  Tuition, room and board, lab supplies, meals and activities are covered by USDA-APHIS.  The students are only responsible for travel costs to the university on opening day and returning home at the end of the program.  Applicants selected must attend the program in its entirety.

Activities include lectures, labs, and interactive field trips.  We are planning for an on-campus program for summer 2022 but we have a contingency plan for virtual programs which were held as scheduled in summer 2021 via Blackboard/Zoom platforms.  Applications must be submitted by midnight on March 31, 2022 and MUST be submitted electronically. Visit   https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/civilrights/agdiscovery/application for more information. 

EZ PASS UPDATE

From Maryland State Delegate for Annapolis, District 30A, Dana Jones:

We have heard from many constituents about the challenges with E-ZPass accounts or toll bills. We’ve worked closely with the MDTA to find solutions to help residents with challenges. As of last week, a Customer Assistance Plan. Effective  February 24, 2022, the MDTA has begun a civil penalty waiver grace period for tolls paid in full and has ceased referring toll bills to the Central Collection Unit (CCU) and MDOT Motor Vehicle Administration (MDOT MVA) temporarily. The grace period will end at 11:59 p.m. on November 30, 2022, and the MDTA will resume referrals of unpaid toll bills and civil penalties to CCU and MDOT MVA on December 1. This plan also included adding more customer support representatives to assist customers.

If you are still having difficulty with your E-ZPass bill, please do not hesitate to contact my office directly, our Maryland State Delegate

for Annapolis, District 30A, Dana Jones at Dana.Jones@house.state.md.us.

PASS, PICK & PLAY DONATION DRIVE

following locations: "Pip” Moyer Recreation Center, Key School, Calvary United Methodist Church, and Discoveries: The Library in the Mall.

The distribution event will take place Saturday, March 26 at the "Pip" Moyer Recreation Center from 10:00 am to noon. If you would like to learn more about the “Pass, Pick & Play” initiative or about the many other events being hosted by the Annapolis Recreation and Parks this month, check out their most recent newsletter!

Celebrate Women's History Month at the Library!

Hear Me Roar: Legacy of the Suffragettes 

Wednesday, March 16 at 6:30 pm at the Busch Annapolis Library 

Women fought for the right to vote for centuries all over the world. Learn about their history and legacy. For kids and teens. 

Author Helaine Becker Presents Pirate Queen: A Story of Zheng Yi Sao 

Wednesday, March 30 at 4 pm at Discoveries: The Library at the Mall 

Author Helaine Becker will present her book Pirate Queen: A Story of Zheng Yi Sao. Becker will join us virtually at Discoveries for a watch party and there will be a craft to follow the presentation. For elementary age children.

DID YOU KNOW? WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH MOMENT

Jackie Ormes was the first professional Black woman cartoonist in the U.S. Born in Monongahela, Pennsylvania, on August 1, 1911, Ormes (whose birth name was Zela Jackson) began drawing caricatures in the Monongahela High School Yearbook. As an adult, the self-taught artist addressed social issues in her work, using comics about issues such as racial injustice, gender inequality, and how pollution disproportionately affects African American communities. 

Remember...

Rhonda’s Public Safety “Mantra”:

Rhonda Pindell Charles, Esq. Alderwoman/Councilwoman, Ward 3, Annapolis, MD City Council AND Chair, Public Safety Standing Committee, Annapolis City Council--Police, Fire (including EMS/Paramedics), and the Office of Emergency Management

By law, the Public Safety Committee shall consider matters affecting public safety in the City. The Public Safety Committee shall review all proposed amendments to Title 11 (Public Peace, Morals and Welfare) and Title 12 (Vehicles and Traffic) of the City Code. First and foremost: The public’s safety is paramount. Moreover, as this legal obligation relates to the community’s residents, businesses, and visitors, the public’s safety, including the public’s peace, morals, and welfare, is best assured when its residents are: 1 - healthy; 2 - informed (i.e., educated); 3 - meaningfully engaged in the enhancement of our professional and volunteer workforce; 4 - good money managers of their finances; 5 - residing in safe and affordable housing communities; 6 - mobile (i.e., easily able to access adequate and affordable transportation when needed); 7 - pursuing social, community, entertainment, the arts, historical, and recreational activities; 8 - as well as possibly choosing to enlighten themselves spiritually. Therefore, the Public Safety Committee is committed to working as “One Annapolis”—an Annapolis that values everyOne; and where "HEALTHY LIVING STARTS HERE.".

• City of Annapolis, Department of Planning & Zoning, Office of Economic Development, link for businesses: 

https://www.annapolis.gov/598/Economic-Development

• Anne Arundel Chamber of Commerce, link for businesses:

https://www.annearundelchamber.org